See the Supply List for beads and tools you can purchase here. You will also need:

Dental tape or white thread

Large needle

Elastic cord

Hot glue gun

Shells and pearls - optional

Step: 2

Download the PDF for the Seashell Collector's Box Project Pattern. You will use the large square pegboard for your project. If you are using a clear pegboard, slide the actual-size pattern underneath it. Place your beads following the pattern.

Step: 3

Ask an adult to fuse your designs. Place your pegboard on a flat, heat-safe surface. Set a household iron to the medium setting. Place ironing paper over the pegboard. In a circular motion, begin to iron the project. When ironed properly, the beads will still have open centers. DO NOT OVER-IRON as this will cause the beads to close and can make assembly of your project more challenging. Let the design cool.

Step: 4

Remove the paper and bead design from the pegboard. Flip the design over to expose the non-fused side. Repeat the fusing. Let cool completely. Once the design is cool, peel off the ironing paper. Your pegboards and ironing paper are reusable.

Note: Beads need heat for about 10-20 seconds per side to fuse evenly. Lift the paper occasionally to see how the beads are fusing. Additional heating time may be required.

Step: 5

ASSEMBLY: Cut 35 inches of white embroidery thread or dental tape (more water-resistant) to stitch together the two parts of the lid as follows. Weave through the white beads of Part 1 and the toothpaste beads of Part 2 as shown. Continue all around the lid until you reach the starting point. Knot the ends together to secure, then trim away the excess.

Step: 6

To build the box, connect the side, front, and back pieces to the openings on the bottom piece. Carefully connect the sides edges and secure them with hot glue if desired. Note: Hot gluing should be done by an adult.

Step: 7

Create hinges for the lid by looping and knotting the thread in the 5th and 6th beads of the back panel as shown. Start weaving the thread to the 4th light green bead on the lid of the box. Continue weaving across 6 beads. Loop and knot through the last two beads. Repeat on the other side for the other hinge.

Step: 8

Refer to the diagram above. Insert the hook piece in the front panel opening and secure with hot glue. Weave a short piece of elastic cord through two neighboring beads in the lid, make a loop for the closure, and knot the ends.

Step: 9

Hot glue the two layers of the whelk shell together as shown.

Step: 10

Hot glue the whelk shell and the scallop shell to the lid of your assembled box. If you wish, you can add real shells or pearls for extra decoration.